Weigh The Discounts On Cruises, And You May Want To Weigh Anchor

August 03, 1986|By John Brannon Albright, New York Times News Service.

Fall--when children are back in school, the summer vacation crush has subsided and the year-end holiday travel season has yet to begin--is traditionally a slack time in the travel industry and consequently a time for travelers to save money by taking advantage of off-season rates.

This is particularly true for cruise takers, for whom the opportunities this fall are better than usual. The threat of terrorism has drastically reduced the number of Americans going abroad, and cruise lines that have been unable to sail profitably in the Mediterranean and elsewhere in Europe have had to cut their season short. In reshuffling itineraries, some lines, even ones that have rarely offered discounts in the past, have reduced fares as much as 50 percent.

For example, Royal Viking Line is offering what amounts to a 2-for-1-sale on a trans-Atlantic crossing. The 728-passenger ship departs on Aug. 15 from Copenhagen for New York. Fares as low as $1,409 are available for the nine-day voyage, including air fare from the United States to Copenhagen. The cost is 50 percent off fares published in the company`s brochures.

If you decide to go on a cruise, there are some points to keep in mind.

-- Don`t judge by price alone. Pick a cruise that offers activities, companionship and ports that interest you. Also, be skeptical of extremely low-priced cruises. To make such cruises profitable, the line often has to skimp on service, food quality, maintenance or the like.

-- Consider what you want out of a cruise. Are you primarily looking for long, relaxing days at sea or lots of people, varied entertainment and many ports? Also decide what type of accommodations you will be happy with. Will an inside cabin, which has no window, suffice? Another consideration is category. The least expensive cabins are on the lowest passenger deck, the most expensive on the top passenger deck.

-- Consider your destination. More bargains are found in areas with large concentrations of ships, such as the Caribbean and Mexican waters, than in places such as Alaska, northern Europe and the South Pacific.

-- Anticipate additional costs. For a seven-night cruise, port taxes are likely to range between $20 and $80. Tips will add another $60 to $100 (the customary amount for the ship will usually be indicated in a shipboard newspaper). Most other services, such as use of the gym or sauna, involve no extra charge, but a massage might cost $12 to $15.

-- Study the cancellation clause. In most cases, a nominal fee is charged even for a cancellation made well in advance. As the time of departure nears, higher penalties are imposed.

These agents often put together groups of people with a common interest or membership in the same organization; they sell leftover space at the same low group rates. Some also offer their clients a list of suggestions as to what to pack, what to expect on board and ashore and the like. For the names of other cruise specialists, look in the Yellow Pages under ``Cruises`` or

``Travel Agencies & Bureaus.``

Following are some examples of cruises that offer good value. Rates are for one person in double occupancy, usually in the lowest cabin category.

Explorer Starship. This 250-passenger ship just entering service for Exploration Cruise Lines offers a seven-night voyage from San Juan to Barbados, calling at nine ports, some of them, like Nevis, not visited by other cruise ships. The Aug. 31 sailing can be booked for $995, including round-trip air fare from New York (published fare: $1,645).

Song of America. Sailing out of Miami, this largest (1,414 passengers) of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line`s vessels offers a seven-night round trip with calls at Nassau, San Juan and St. Thomas. On Sept. 14 and Dec. 14 she can be booked for $1,070, including round-trip air fare from New York and port taxes (published fare: $1,300).

(Denmark, West Germany, the Netherlands, England, France, Spain and Portugal). The Sept. 26 sailing is $1,530, including round-trip air fare from New York (published fare: $1,695). On Oct. 12 the ship leaves Malaga on a 22- night cruise bound for Barbados, calling at nine ports, including Belem. A three-night hotel stay on the Costa del Sol and air fare from New York to Spain and back from Barbados are included in the fare of $2,195 (published fare: $2,295).